About Jonathan Baird
Jonathan Baird
Jonathan Baird is a contemporary worship leader, songwriter, and musician primarily associated with Sovereign Grace Music. Alongside his siblings Ryan and Meghan Baird, he has been a key figure in the "modern hymn" movement, which focuses on setting biblically rich, doctrinally sound lyrics to contemporary melodies.
Starting in the early 2000s, Baird began writing and recording with the group West Coast Revival, which he formed with his brother Ryan in 2003. The group partnered with Sovereign Grace Music to release several projects, starting with the EP FUSE in 2005. Jonathan’s work is characterized by a "Christ-centered" focus, often co-writing with established songwriters like Bob Kauflin and Stephen Altrogge.
He is best known for contributing new stanzas to classic hymns to make them more liturgically complete for modern congregations, as well as for co-writing one of the most widely sung worship songs of the 21st century, "Behold Our God."
Major Works and Contributions
| Work | Role | Significance |
| "Behold Our God" | Co-author | Beginning with the line "Who has held the oceans in His hands?", this song is a modern staple in global worship, drawing heavily from the imagery of Isaiah 40. |
| "All Creatures of Our God and King" | Additional Lyrics (St. 3-4) | Baird and his brother Ryan added two stanzas to the classic St. Francis of Assisi text, focusing specifically on redemption through Christ's blood and His future return. |
| "All That Thrills My Soul" | Songwriter/Arranger | Part of an EP released in partnership with Sovereign Grace Music that revitalized older hymn themes with new musical arrangements. |
Key Musical Affiliations
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Sovereign Grace Music: A ministry that produces albums and resources for local churches, directed by Bob Kauflin. Baird has been a frequent contributor to their "Together for the Gospel" (T4G) and "Live" recording projects.
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West Coast Revival: The musical collective through which Jonathan, Ryan, and Meghan Baird release their collaborative work and singles, including "Flesh and Blood" and "The Armor."
The "Modern Hymn" Approach
Jonathan Baird’s writing reflects the Sovereign Grace philosophy of "filling the mind with truth to set the heart on fire." His contributions often follow a specific structural pattern:
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Theological Progression: Moving from the character of God (Creator) to the work of Christ (Redeemer) to the hope of the believer (Glorification).
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Accessibility: Using melodies that are easily sung by a congregation while maintaining a high level of poetic and scriptural integrity.
